Support questions

LegacyUser

Hi all. First thread in PI...

I was just wondering about the support groups for social anxiety that ive heard a few people on here recommend going to and saying that they helped. I have two questions about them.

1. Have you actually made friends through the groups or is it kinda like a proffesional situation where you go in, share your stuff and leave again?

2. Im worried that even though my life is becoming really unhappy and Im having more and more problems doing normal things, that I will just completely come out of myself when I actually go to a group like that. I think the situations where my anxiety becomes active are really specific, and even though it happens in nearly every social situation that im in that I go really quiet and introverted, when im actually comfortable I can talk OK. My problem is that I have it in my head already that im not going to be anxious in the group, but then when I go there, because I will have my protective shield up the way it seems like everyone does when they act confidently, that I wont be able to actually let go of the stuff thats killing me inside.

Im not sure what Im trying to say, I have so many different feelings about the whole thing, sometimes I feel like even though I have every single symptom on any list about social phobia that its just me constructing it in my own head, or giving myself excuses or something, because I never used to be like this...

Anyway, thanks for reading if anyone still is

Thoushaltnot

2questions wrote: »

Anyway, thanks for reading if anyone still is

Hey, don't be so down on yourself! You've asked some really good questions, which may, in time, help others in your predicament too.

I'm afraid that I can't offer you advice on this subject but hope you get helpful and useful answers, soon. I really do. You sound like a good soul going thru a bad time.

LegacyUser

hey,

right, i suffer/suffered from SA so i know exactly what your talking about! my symptoms are very similar to yours....i only get SA in certain specific situations, otherwise, i'm grand.

i'm not sure how much you know about your condtion and what help is avaiilable to you so forgive me if i tell you stuff that you already know. i think that you will need to undergo CBT before you attend an SA meeting. You will be better prepared for it and won't be so worried about feeling anxious when you attend a meeting. Post me back if you haven't undergone any cbt....i can recommend a cbt program for you.

JuliusCaesar

Firstly, a support group is just that - for support and not for making friends. I think you're talking about a treatment group in Dublin which has people coming from all over the country?
Secondly, everyone will have whatever shield up; but they'll be talking about uncomfortable situations and how to cope, so even if you do, you'll learn how to deal with it in your everyday life. Most people going to their first group of whatever are terrified, but gradually get to trust each other.
And most people overthink their situation........but can't see the wood for the trees because of this, so don't worry about that. HOpe this helps.

LegacyUser

Unregistered wrote: »

hey,

right, i suffer/suffered from SA so i know exactly what your talking about! my symptoms are very similar to yours....i only get SA in certain specific situations, otherwise, i'm grand.

i'm not sure how much you know about your condtion and what help is avaiilable to you so forgive me if i tell you stuff that you already know. i think that you will need to undergo CBT before you attend an SA meeting. You will be better prepared for it and won't be so worried about feeling anxious when you attend a meeting. Post me back if you haven't undergone any cbt....i can recommend a cbt program for you.

OP here, thx for responses.

No I havent, looking into it at the moment. If someone could make up a list of good CBT practises outside of Dublin, or link to one thats online somewhere would appreciate it.

Definitely need to get some kind of help for it, cant go on like I am ATM... Roughly (i know it depends completeley on the person) how many sessions does it take with the therapist? Is CBT a kind of long term thing like psychoanalysis or is it more a rigid structure where they identify/change/oppose negative thought patterns in 10 weeks or what?

JuliusCaesar

What is CBT?
Finding cbt therapists: try under Republic of Ireland and here under "Member of" cbt section

Here's a group

Xiney

Just as a clarification for everyone, the moderators of Personal Issues have decided that we will not allow linking to information on how to receive counselling online at this time.

LegacyUser

ok....i posted the earlier post u quoted. my cbt program takes 5 months, i'd say thats pretty much the norm for social anxiety suffers. it's better to do it right than take short-cuts.

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